In July 2013, Phyllosticta cavendishii (banana freckle) was detected in the Northern Territory on the Cavendish variety of bananas on two rural properties.
In January 2019, after a successful eradication program, absence of banana freckle has been declared for Australia (exclusive of external territories).
Therefore, according to ISPM 8, banana freckle is considered ‘Absent: pest eradicated’ for mainland Australia and ‘Present: only in some areas’ on Christmas Island (external territory). Presence of the pest on Christmas Island does not affect freedom of the pest in Australia (exclusive of external territories) as under the Biosecurity Act 2015, no plant or animal material or soil can be moved from external territories to the Australian mainland without meeting biosecurity regulations.